Joseph D. Bates

Joseph D. Bates died unexpectedly on May 1, 2023.  He was born on July 29, 1949, in Princeton, IN to John and Wanda (Gordon) Bates. He was a graduate of Princeton High School, Class of 1967.  After graduation Joe served his country in the Marines from 1969 to 1971 and received the rank of Corporal.  After his discharge from the Armed Services, he began pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Joe began his career in Chicago, IL with Bankers Life and Casualty Insurance Company. This is where he met his future wife, Donna.  During his career working in the Insurance Field, he held the positions of CPA, Controller and Vice President.

 On August 8, 1981, he was united in marriage to Donna K. Pladis in Chicago, IL.

Throughout Joe’s life his greatest joy was the time he spent with his family.  He took pride in each accomplishment and milestone his daughters achieved.  He looked forward to his trips back home to Princeton, where there was always some type of game being played in his mother’s backyard.  He was one of the best shade tree mechanics you could ever know. Joe was proud to have served his country and was an outstanding example to his family, friends and community.

Joe is survived by his daughters, Sarah Bates (fiancé Matthew Raines) of Chicago, IL, and Abbie (Morgan) Baer of Glen Carbon, IL; sisters, Patricia (Tim) O’Rourke of Bedford, IN, Priscilla Caringer of Princeton, IN, Barbara (Dale) Krieg of Princeton, IN, and Pamela Bates of Evansville, IN; sister-in-law, Maureen (Pladis) Brinski, of Poplar Grove, IL; brothers, Robert “Bud” Bates ofOwensboro, KY, Edward (Vikki) Bates of Camden, SC, Jerry Bates of Hazelton, IN, Jeff (Donna) Bates of Patoka, IN, Tim (Lana) Bates of Princeton, IN and Tom (Karen) Bates of Saint Peters, MO; and several nieces and nephews.

Joe and Donna passed together.  He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Bonnie Lance; sister-in-law, Martha “Billie” Bates; and brothers-in-law, Ron Caringer and Jerry Lance.

A time of remembrance will be held for Joe and Donna at 5 pm Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at Colvin Funeral Home, Princeton, Indiana followed by Military Rites by Retired Military Veterans. A gathering of family and friends will be held from 2 until 5:00 pm Tuesday at the funeral home. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Gibson County Animal Serves, P.O. Box 474, Princeton, IN 47670.

Condolences may be made online at www.colvinfuneralhome.com, where you may also light a candle in his memory. Colvin Funeral Home is honored to serve the Bates family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph D. Bates, please visit our floral store.